Province promotes local farmers, ranchers during Local Food Week
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on August 13, 2024.
news@medicinehatnews.com Working farmers, producers and entrepreneurs put food on Albertans’ tables every day, and this week they are being showcased for their efforts to produce quality tasting foods and beverages. Local Food Week encourages Albertans to buy locally grown products from farmers markets as well as take part in activities to learn about where their food comes from by visiting local producers as well as purchasing products with the “Made in Alberta” label that identifies foods grown or processed in the province by local farms and ranches. “Over the next week, Albertans will have the opportunity to meet the hard-working farmers and entrepreneurs that put nutritious food on our plates,” says RJ Sigurdson, minister of agriculture and irrigation, in a press release. “Whether you’re picking fresh fruits and vegetables at a U-pick farm, buying locally grown products, or taking part in activities to learn about where our food comes from.” The week also serves to build awareness of the province’s agri-tourism sector. Sigurdson says Alberta is well known for its production of beef, produce and craft beer and ciders, and has the “highest standards of food safety, animal care, biosecurity and environment stewardship.” Local Food Week wraps up with Open Farm Days weekend, a province-wide open house that includes 170 host farms that will be welcoming members of the community to come learn about how food is grown and processed and ends up on the market. “Opening their doors to offer open houses, great local food experiences, tours and an opportunity to buy Alberta-grown and produced products, visitors will see how their food is made and learn about the people who produce it,” says Sigurdson. Locally, the Medicine Hat Brewing Company will host a public tour of the facility on Aug. 17 and show how they process Alberta 2 row pale malted barley into craft beer. There will also be a full service kitchen with special food features and a tap full of cold locally produced beer. There are three open house-style events planned around Brooks, including a family friendly tour of Piston Broke Brewing on Aug. 17. As well on Saturday, the Brooks & District Museum is hosting a parade of antique tractors around the museum grounds as well as a look into farming life of early settlers to the area that includes a lesson to make ice-cream and butter. The museum will also host old-fashioned games and a chance to rope a calf that “won’t get away.” Alpacas, who have been chosen as this year’s Open Farms Days mascot, will be among emus, llamas, donkeys and a camel during hands-on experience petting and feeding farm animals at White Barn Fun Farm, including free quad-pulled hay rides every hour. 13-12
